Where Does MRSP Live?

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We will continue to provide concise summaries of pertinent clinical studies every Tuesday.

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Fecal Transplant and Seizure Activity in Dogs

This pilot study explored the potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to improve behavioral and seizure outcomes in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy that was resistant to drugs. Nine dogs exhibiting anxiety and ADHD-like behaviors received three FMT treatments over a six-week period, with follow-ups at three and six months. The donor was a long-term seizure-free dog on phenobarbital treatment. Post-FMT analyses revealed improvements in anxiety and hyperactivity, alongside alterations in the gastrointestinal microbiota—specifically, a decrease in certain Firmicutes and Blautia_A species and an increase in a Ruminococcus species. Additionally, urine tests showed a reduction in excitatory neurotransmitters such as aspartate and glutamate, coupled with an increase in the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which elevated the GABA/glutamate ratio. Clinically, some dogs experienced a significant reduction in the frequency, duration, and intensity of seizures. While these findings are promising, the study indicates that further research is needed to validate the initial positive results. 

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as a Novel Tool for Behavioral Comorbidities Treatment in Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy – A Pilot Study A. Watanangura, DVM,^1,2 S. Meller, DVM, PhD,¹ N. Farhat, BSc,³ J. S. Suchodolski, MedVet, Dr. Med Vet, PhD, AGAF, DACVM,⁴ R. Pilla, DVM, PhD,⁴ M. R. Khattab, BVSc, MVSc, PhD,⁴ A. Bathen-Nöthen, Dr. Med Vet, DECVN,⁵ A. Fischer, Dr. Med Vet, DECVN, DACVIM,⁶ K. Busch-Hahn, Dr. Med Vet, DECVIM-CA,⁶ C. Flieshardt, Dr. Med Vet, DECVN,⁷ M. Gramer, CTA,⁸ F. Richter, Dr. Med Vet, PhD,^8,9 A. Zamansky, BA, MSc, PhD,³ H. A. Volk, DECVN, PhD, PGCAP, FHEA, MRCVS^1,9 Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany; ² Veterinary Research and Academic Service, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; ³Information Systems Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; ⁴ Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA; ⁵ Tierarztpraxis, Dr. A. Bathen-Nöthen, Cologne, Germany; ⁶ Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; ⁷ Small Animal Clinic, Tierklinik Posthausen, Posthausen, Germany; ⁸ Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany; ⁹ Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany 

Bottom line — Exciting potential.

Geographic Distribution of MRSP

This study explores the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of methicillin‐resistant staphylococci (MRS) isolated from companion animals across the United States over a four-year period. Staphylococci, which naturally inhabit the microbiota of healthy dogs, cats, and humans, become significant pathogens when they develop resistance to commonly used β‐lactam antibiotics through the mecA gene. Among these bacteria, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius emerged as the most frequently isolated, primarily from dogs with skin and soft tissue infections, while Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus schleiferi were less common but still clinically relevant. The research shows a year-over-year increase in the number of MRS isolates, with regional differences evident—higher frequencies were observed along the East and West coasts and near the Great Lakes, whereas central states generally showed lower rates. Antimicrobial susceptibility varied considerably; some drugs demonstrated increased effectiveness over time, while others, notably first-line treatments for MRSP, exhibited low susceptibility rates, thereby narrowing treatment options. The study also acknowledges limitations, such as potential sampling bias due to reliance on data from animals with recurrent or difficult-to-treat infections and the absence of raw minimum inhibitory concentration data, which restricts further analysis. These findings highlight the pressing need for ongoing surveillance, improved region-specific antimicrobial stewardship, and tailored treatment guidelines to effectively manage these resistant infections in veterinary practice. 

Sobkowich, K. E., Hui, A. Y., Poljak, Z., Szlosek, D., Plum, A., & Weese, J. S. (2025). Nationwide analysis of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in cats and dogs: resistance patterns and geographic distribution. American Journal of Veterinary Research https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.24.09.0253 

Bottom line — Interesting distribution.

Bisphospahnates and Bone Remodleing

The study examined whether tiludronate, a first-generation bisphosphonate widely used in equine medicine, alters bone remodeling or improves bone microarchitecture in mature horses when given in two clinically relevant doses. Bisphosphonates, known for their effectiveness in reducing bone loss in humans, work by suppressing osteoclast activity; however, tiludronate is much less potent than the agents used in human medicine. Although approved by the FDA for treating conditions such as navicular disease, previous research in younger horses had already shown that a single dose did not affect bone remodeling. In this investigation, biopsies from the tuber coxae of pasture-exercised horses revealed no significant differences in trabecular bone volume or dynamic histomorphometry parameters between the tiludronate-treated and control groups. Any observed increases in bone volume appeared to be related to normal developmental changes rather than a therapeutic effect of the drug. Moreover, the study found no evidence of adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity. Overall, the findings suggest that while tiludronate is safe under the tested dosing regimen, it does not significantly influence bone turnover in the tuber coxae of mature horses. 

Tippen SP, Metzger CE, Sacks SA, Allen MR, Mitchell CF, McNulty MA. Clinically relevant doses of tiludronate do not affect bone remodelling in pasture-exercised horses. Equine Vet J. 2025; 57(2): 513–521. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14119 

Bottom line — Does not seem to affect bone turnover.

Just putting things in perspective …